When it comes to bridal spray tans, the goal is simple: you want to look like the best version of you!
Here is the ultimate Prep + Care Guide for the best Wedding-ready tan results possible. This guide covers specific questions I get from brides before their appointments.
When to Book Your Bridal Tan
First: Check your date is available. Timing is everything. For most brides, two days before the wedding is the sweet spot. This gives the tan time to fully develop, settle into your skin, and look natural, without any risk of it rubbing off on your dress.
I always recommend booking a trial tan 6-4 weeks before the wedding. A trial tan lets you see exactly how the colour develops on your skin, not someone else’s. Every skin type absorbs tan differently, and what looks subtle on one person can look much deeper on another.
A trial also helps you:
Check the shade in natural light,
See how it photographs on camera,
Make sure it works with your dress colour,
Learn how your skin fades and how long it lasts,
Note down any adjustments for the Wedding tan.
Most importantly, it removes guesswork. Your wedding week isn't usually the time to experiment.. While I'm pretty good at winging it, my goal is to make the experience feel calm, predictable, and stress free.
Prepping Your Skin: The Week Lead-up
Great tans start with great prep. Here's your countdown before both your trial, and your wedding day tan:
In the 5-3 days before your appointment: Exfoliate your entire body using a exfoliating mitts and gentle, oil-free scrub. Focus on rough areas - elbows, knees, ankles, and feet - where tan tends to grab and develop darker.
The 48-24 hours before your appointment: Repeat exfoliation! Especially upper body where your skin will be showing. Don't forget under and around the armpits. Shave or wax at least 48-24 hours before your tan (never the same day!)
Moisturise lightly the night before, but skip heavy creams, oils, or lotions on the day of your tan itself. Avoid Dove products if possible - these leave a film-like residue on the skin that can prevent the tan from absorbing.
Avoid makeup, deodorant, and perfume before your session - these also create barriers that block even tan development.
On the day of your appointment:
If you have no product on your skin - Skip the shower! Only have a light rinse if you have product on your skin. Avoid exfoliating the day of your tan, as this can throw off the tan development.
Wear loose, dark, comfortable clothing to your appointment (and to bed afterwards if you're tanning the night before)
Bring slippers, flip-flops or slip-ons - closed shoes and socks can cause smudging before the tan develops
Come with bare, clean skin. No lotion, no fake tan residue, no fragrance or deodorant. A small amount of face moisturiser is fine.
During Your Appointment
Whether mobile or in-studio, we'll talk through your desired shade and finish before we start, and any changes you wish to make following your trial tan. For brides, I'd typically recommend a lighter, more natural looking glow, that photographs well and doesn't add too much of a contrast to white fabrics.
I'll guide you through positioning, and the whole process is quick, relaxed, and private. If you're booking for your bridal party too, we can arrange group sessions either at my studio or as a mobile group booking - always a bit of fun with the girls!
Aftercare & Locking In Your Glow
What you do after your tan matters just as much as the prep. Depending on the solution we use, you will be given a specific rinse time. This is a warm water only rinse - No soap! You will need to wait at least 12 hours after your initial water rinse before using any soap, shampoo or other foaming/cleansing products.
After your 2-3 minute rinse, gently pat skin dry and pop on some loose clothing. Wait 12 hours before applying any moisturiser or topical creams.
From here, mosturise twice daily with a fragrance-free, oil-free lotion (and before showering) to ensure your tan stays even. Hydrate from the inside out by drinking plenty of water.
Avoid long, hot showers, baths, swimming pools, spas, and saunas.
Avoid any friction on the skin i.e tight clothing.
Avoid exfoliating products, retinol, or AHA/BHA skincare until your tan has fully worn off.
Ensure you have a warm soapy shower the morning of your wedding. Use a gel based body wash and pay special attention to underarms and areas where your dress line sits to avoid any tan residue transferring to your dress.
Bridal Timeline at a Glance
If your calendar is starting to look a little busier than usual, keep things simple by booking your appointments in this order leading up to the big day:
6-8 days - Exfoliate. Hair removal (waxing or laser)
3-4 days - Mani and pedi ..& exfoliate
3-4 days - Hair Colour / Brow / Lash appointments
2-3 days - Shave & Exfoliate the body - Ensure all old tan is removed completely!
2 days - Get your spray tan ✨
Do I tan my face?
It comes down to both personal preference, and the recommendation of your makeup-artist. Some makeup artists recommend skipping the face when you spray tan, while others prefer you include a light layer. The best approach is to check with your artist ahead of time, ideally before your makeup trial.
Keep in mind that certain skincare products can cause facial tan to fade faster, which can sometimes lead to uneven colour.
TLDR; Prep is 80% of the result.
Exfoliate Properly.
I often see brides coming in for their spray tan a couple of days before the wedding, already juggling a million things, and still carrying patches from the trial tan we did weeks earlier. The best results always come down to good prep. Try to make time for a bath at least a day before your appointment. Soaking helps soften dead skin so it’s much easier to buff away with an exfoliating mitt. It’s also the perfect time to sort out any hair removal so you don't have to rush through it the next day.
Rushing this step is the number one reason spray tans don’t turn out the way brides expect.
Arrive With Nothing On Your Skin
🚫 No Moisturiser, Perfume, Deodorant or Makeup
✔️ Wear loose, dark clothing and slip on shoes.
Still have questions? Flick me a message.
The Bride Guide: Natural, Subtle, and Photo-Ready
